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Leicester City news: How Dean Smith wants the Foxes to bounce back from Liverpool defeat?

Next up for Leicester is a tough trip away to St James’ Park to face top-four battling Newcastle United.

By Karthik Raman | May 16, 2023 | 3 Min Read

Leicester City are in big trouble of getting relegated. Their recent run of results have not helped their cause either, as the Foxes are inching ever closer to getting relegated to the second division. Leicester’s latest defeat was a 3-0 hammering by in-form Liverpool. The Reds have found their form at the right time to mount an unlikely top four push. In such a scenario, it is difficult for any side to come up against Jurgen Klopp’s side. Leicester had no choice but to go all out against them on Monday night, however, Liverpool’s superior quality and clinical edge proved to be the difference in the end.

After the Premier League match, Leicester City manager Dean Smith gave credit to the opposition for the win. However, he was critical of his team’s performance at certain moments in the match. “It was a very tough night. The best team won. They’re a very good team with talented footballers. But on top of that, they are top athletes as well. I thought we matched them for 30 minutes until that first goal. Our game plan was to keep the ball in front of us and I thought we did that really well but, after 30 minutes, the goalkeeper has put a big ball over the back four and they score from that,” Smith told LCFC TV.

He added: “The manner of the goals that we’ve given away, certainly just in the six games that I’ve had, have been disappointing. There’s things that we can do about it. Unfortunately, we go behind and we get a bit frantic after that. Obviously, the opposition upped their game a little bit as well and score a second. We gave them the second almost straight from the kick-off. That’s the disappointing thing that we weren’t thinking clearly under pressure there. That let us down at times.”

I don’t think the third should be given: Dean Smith

Dean Smith believed Leicester City were still in the game when it was 2-0, however, he was not happy with the awarding of a free-kick that led to the third goal. “[In the] second half, they had some big chances. I don’t think the third should be given. It’s never a free-kick. Jonny Evans has won the tackle and you need things like that to go with you. Both of the other goals were marginally onside. Both have gone for VAR and looking back at the stills they are very close. But we have to trust that process,” he explained.

“We felt we were in the game, even at 2-0. If we get one back, it’s a game changer. That’s why it’s so frustrating with the third. It just gives them the opportunity for a free shot on the edge of the box and that takes the game totally away from you. I’ve been frustrated with our reactions to goals and the second one, the way we gave them a chance, is something we have to learn from.”

Dean Smith on remaining matches

It does not get any easier for Leicester City in the coming matches. Next up for them is a tough trip away to St James’ Park to face top-four battling Newcastle United. Speaking about what to expect from the coming fixtures, Smith said, “We haven’t got long to go; we’ve got two games and we know we have to go and win them. We play again Monday and we’ll have a better idea after the weekend games of what we need to do, but we have to get lifted.” “They are Premier League footballers and as I’ve said – these players care. You can’t say there wasn’t fight out on the pitch. There was effort, they put the running numbers in, but unfortunately, we got beat by the better team tonight. We create chances against most teams but we’ve got to keep a clean sheet in the last two just to give us a chance.”